22 Days of Prayer for America – citizens of heaven | residents of earth

We are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control. – Philippians 3:20-21 (NLT)
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In a fragmenting world—with America facing its crucial presidential election and Britain in flux after its recent referendum decision to quit Europe—there is a single heavenly citizenship that alone can reassure us.

Richard Bewes is a preacher, broadcaster and hymn writer. He serves on the board of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in the United Kingdom and is the former rector of All Souls Church, Langham Place, London.

Prayer: citizens of heaven | residents of earth

Heavenly Father: As believing Americans we hold dual citizenship – in heaven and on earth. One is eternal; the other is temporary.

As we face the upcoming presidential election in America, give us Your heavenly, eternal wisdom that we may honor You on earth as in heaven.

+ Like Abraham, we look forward to the city whose architect and builder is God; a city filled with people from all tribes and nations.

Keep before us the vision of the heavenly city – that it might breathe new life into our decaying American cities.

+ Come Lord Jesus Christ, we await Your return as Savior; bodily, visibly and universally—to usher in the eternal kingdom. And as we wait, send us Your Spirit.

You alone can rescue America, You alone can save America, You alone can raise American cities up from the grave. Our hope is in You alone – work in us and through us.

+ Transform Your people in America into consistent, living witnesses who show others how to live as citizens of heaven in our dying world.

Unite Your people in every American city at the foot of the Cross – one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all.

Heavenly Father: You hold the future of America in Your hands. Raise up every faithful American citizen to vote in the upcoming presidential election for the candidate who will best preserve the freedom of the City from above – that Your power and glory may be displayed for the entire world to see.

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit – one God forever. Amen.